What actually happens if you admit being ill at the port?

[Brumbie13]

I think the cruise lines ought to be much more transparent about what happens and generous with refunding your cruise fare in order to discourage sick people from lying and getting on board. Honestly, if their true intentions were to keep sick people off, they shouldn't create an incentive to lie, by being obscure about what happens or by leaving you with no recourse if you don't have travel insurance.

You hit the nail on the head right here.

 

[Happy100]

it is very hard to tell with kids what they have and if anything contagious.

a few years ago we were getting ready to fly out for a cruise and the day before my son vomitted at school. I was very worried about this. He never ran a fever and never vomitted again but 2 days later when the I had to answer that question before we boarded I said no. Why b/c i chalked my son's vomitting up to nerves. I don't know if this was the case for sure but I wasn't about to go through a medical visit and something that appeared to be nothing turn into something and ruin our vacation.

a lot of gray in that question.

 

[poohfriend]

We were traveling with people that were ill before traveling to WDW. And evidently they just missed the "days before" question. One of their kids got sick within hours of boarding. (In my mind because he had been exposed to his sister 3 days before when she was throwing up.)

Well they must not have been the only one. It was EVERYWHERE by day 2. By day 4 we had a surprise second stop at Castaway Cay. The Captain said it was to take advantage of the beautiful weather! But there was a strong rumor by crew and guests alike that it was so they could get guests off the ship a second day and do a thorough cleaning.

I kept a close eye on trip reports from the next cruise and there seemed to be no problems.

Let me tell you ... it was nasty. And it spread quickly. The crew wore gloves and there were crew members serving drinks at the self-service drink station. At Palo brunch we had someone serve us from the buffet. (They walked around with our plate and we pointed to what we wanted.)

I think DCL took reasonable steps to prevent illness, but I know I for one would have liked those that brought the illness on the ship to be denied boarding.

 

[kpaulson]

We were on a 7 night Caribbean from Galveston this past September and on night 3 or 4 we received a lovely letter stating one of the children in the kids clubs had head lice...never heard if they were quarantined or not but having very thick hairs well as 4 long haired/thick coated dogs at home I was more than a little stressed at what to do about this. One family having this brought stress to many on the ship I'm sure and I wish that that family had been offered an opportunity to postpone their cruise as maybe they would not have come onboard and put many people at risk. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bonniec]

I think the cruise lines ought to be much more transparent about what happens and generous with refunding your cruise fare in order to discourage sick people from lying and getting on board. Honestly, if their true intentions were to keep sick people off, they shouldn't create an incentive to lie, by being obscure about what happens or by leaving you with no recourse if you don't have travel insurance.

I totally agree.

My child and I both have very low immune systems and we catch everything. He gets over everything quickly, but I don't. I never used to have a problem, but the past 3 years have been completely brutal on me. I'm not sure if it's just been bad luck, if we have a medical issue, or if the bugs are just worse, but if I am near anyone who remotely sniffles I just want to cry because I know what's coming. I wish people would freaking stay home when they are sick.

I used to be a big believer in "kids have to get sick so they build up immunity". My older twins (18) were rarely sick as a child. So I don't know what's changed with my youngest to make him so sick all the time, but it's turned me into a total germaphobe.

I have a big fear of people bringing that crap on a ship. As you said, I wish Disney were more careful about how they word things but I would imagine, 90% of the sick people will lie to get on the ship and not lose their vacation.

I took the DCL insurance because if we are sick, we are NOT getting on board. I will take that full credit and go another time. Otherwise, I will bring the wipes and hope for the best that we don't catch it from someone else on board.

 

[lozzypop]

My daughter vomited right after our car ride to the port just before our 2011 cruise. I blame the air conditioning in the car - she seems to have issues with recycled air (happened once before on a plane during a separate trip). She felt much better after but I was worried sick that we would be denied boarding. I had travel insurance but was not looking forward to trying to explain a cancelled trip to an eight year old.

We were totally honest on the health form and were waved right on through. Didn't even have to see a doctor. My daughter was 100% fine for the rest of the trip and I was so relieved that we had done the right thing and karma paid back big time.

 

[rosiep]

it is very hard to tell with kids what they have and if anything contagious.

a few years ago we were getting ready to fly out for a cruise and the day before my son vomitted at school. I was very worried about this. He never ran a fever and never vomitted again but 2 days later when the I had to answer that question before we boarded I said no. Why b/c i chalked my son's vomitting up to nerves. I don't know if this was the case for sure but I wasn't about to go through a medical visit and something that appeared to be nothing turn into something and ruin our vacation.

a lot of gray in that question.

I suffer from anxiety and almost always have an attack that includes vomiting before I travel. With medication and therapy I have it mostly under control but the first few times it occurred I was thrown for such a loop!

 

[CarolAnnC]

So, if Disney denies boarding, are you due a refund of the cruise fare? I do not really read the terms of the contract closely, but I cannot imagine that DCL would somehow be able to not refund your money if they do not allow boarding.

Of course, even if the denied boarding and refunded your fare, I am sure you would not be reimbursed travel expenses unless you had travelers insurance.

DWF

It's the same thing when they quarantine you on board ship - no refund. One of my DD's was quarantined for 1 1/2 days before disembarkation and there was nothing they could offer as far as compensation. That is what travel insurance is for.

We were on a 7 night Caribbean from Galveston this past September and on night 3 or 4 we received a lovely letter stating one of the children in the kids clubs had head lice...never heard if they were quarantined or not but having very thick hairs well as 4 long haired/thick coated dogs at home I was more than a little stressed at what to do about this. One family having this brought stress to many on the ship I'm sure and I wish that that family had been offered an opportunity to postpone their cruise as maybe they would not have come onboard and put many people at risk. Just my 2 cents.

This is common especially when children (or adults) get their hair braided on the islands. We only stuck to the DCL hair braiders, and always passed up the port braiders for this very reason. We did it on board ship and on Castaway Cay with no issues.

 

[BrettW]

Well, my wife reviewed the Contract of Carriage and basically stated that the wording is fairly standard but unlikely to withstand a legal challenge. Apparently there is a fair amount of case law concerning these types of contracts. I had not noticed, but there are all types of clauses in the DCL contract which appear unlikely to survive any scrutiny. For example, are you aware that DCL does not need to provide us with a seaworthy ship (section 18)? It is in the contract. Or, DCL could provide us with contaminated food/drink and not be liable (also section 18). Oh, DCL declines any responsibility, for example, if a spa worker injurs you in the spa (section 23) since they are independent contractors.

The reality is that DCL is not in the business of alienating its customers. I am sure they would try to make any situation as reasonable as possible.

I guess that was the point of my original question. I still have not heard from any first hand account what happened to somebody who was denied passage. Again, I am sure DCL would not want people to show up at the port ill and have them expect DCL to provide them a refund. However, I do wonder what really happens in that circumstance.

DWF

Don't forget, US law may not apply to this contract, since the ship is registered out of the Bahamas. Much less generous consumer protection laws.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kcashner]

I suffer from anxiety and almost always have an attack that includes vomiting before I travel. With medication and therapy I have it mostly under control but the first few times it occurred I was thrown for such a loop!

This is where a letter from your therapist may become important. It allows you to answer the health form honestly but also documents an explanation for the problem.

 

[disneywonderfun]

Don't forget, US law may not apply to this contract, since the ship is registered out of the Bahamas. Much less generous consumer protection laws.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Actually US laws do apply as the contract clearly states DCL's address in Florida. Where the ship is flagged has much more to do with minimizing expenses/taxes rather than consumer liability issues for what is obviously a huge multinational corporation.

DWF

 

[disneywonderfun]

I totally agree.

My child and I both have very low immune systems and we catch everything. He gets over everything quickly, but I don't. I never used to have a problem, but the past 3 years have been completely brutal on me. I'm not sure if it's just been bad luck, if we have a medical issue, or if the bugs are just worse, but if I am near anyone who remotely sniffles I just want to cry because I know what's coming. I wish people would freaking stay home when they are sick.

I used to be a big believer in "kids have to get sick so they build up immunity". My older twins (18) were rarely sick as a child. So I don't know what's changed with my youngest to make him so sick all the time, but it's turned me into a total germaphobe.

I have a big fear of people bringing that crap on a ship. As you said, I wish Disney were more careful about how they word things but I would imagine, 90% of the sick people will lie to get on the ship and not lose their vacation.

I took the DCL insurance because if we are sick, we are NOT getting on board. I will take that full credit and go another time. Otherwise, I will bring the wipes and hope for the best that we don't catch it from someone else on board.

I know what you are saying! I agree that no matter what DCL tries to do, a huge majority of passengers would board even if they or their children are ill. We have been fortunate and never been ill immediately prior to or while on a cruise. It is a little like playing with fire, however. Sooner or later, something will happen. Of course, I could just as easily catch something at the salad bar at a Jason's Deli while heading home. I guess it is just best to keep your fingers crossed!

DWF

 

[Wadekind]

Harsh to say but I think most people when faced with losing thousands of dollars don't care if anyone else gets sick from them.
Also, If someones immune system is depressed then I dont see the wisdom of placing yourself in any crowded situation especially a cruise ship

 

[disfan07]

Harsh to say but I think most people when faced with losing thousands of dollars don't care if anyone else gets sick from them.
Also, If someones immune system is depressed then I dont see the wisdom of placing yourself in any crowded situation especially a cruise ship

because we dont feel like living in a bubble

I have a wekened immune system from years of prednisone, immnosuppresents and other medical conditions. I seem to catch every little cold there is. But I'm not going to live in a bubble just because I "might" get sick. I am probably exposed to more sick people in college than I would be in Disney. But my doctors have flat out told me to not stop living my life just because of my illnesses.

 

[Summerl30]

If my oldest child threw up with no other symptoms, I would think nothing of it. She throws up in the car, she throws up when she's nervous (probably if she is overexcited too), she throws up if she skips a meal, she throws up if she eats too much sugar...not out of the ordinary.

If one of my other two did, I'd take it a lot more serious.